Many drivers across the region have been left wondering why their cars are coated in a thin layer of red-coloured dirt — and the answer lies thousands of miles away in the Sahara.
The Easter weekend’s warm weather is delivering a plume of Saharan dust, carried high in the atmosphere before falling back to earth in what’s often called “blood rain”.
The fine particles, suspended in the air, were washed down during showers on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, leaving a rusty film on cars, windows, and outdoor surfaces. The same dust also helped create striking red-tinted sunrises across the country.
The thin layer of dust we’re seeing on cars and windows is originally from the Sahara desert. Strong winds lift the dust to high altitudes, and recent mild southerly airflow has carried it hundreds of miles to us.
The particles become trapped inside raindrops as they form in clouds. When the rain evaporates, the sand remains behind — a process that has affected not only the Aegean area but other parts of Europe.
The dust has also intensified the colours of sunsets and sunrises, producing vivid skies that many people shared on social media.
Some further Saharan dust may be washed down by showers today and tomorrow. After that, a weather front moving northeast should bring in cleaner air from the southwest.
For now, drivers may need to keep the car wash on standby — at least until the atmosphere settles
